Annual General Meeting 2010

9 March 2010

Draft minutes
(to be adopted at the 2011 annual meeting)

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Participants: Mimi Ameti, Marco Benvenuti, Brigitte Ruby Cosgrove, Nadiya Dzyubynska, Alex Ezana, Michael Gibson, Natalia Guerra, Lulu Henriod, Yves Kenfack, Jan Knoerich, Christiane Mallet, Dina Pejovic, Patrice Piguet, Claire Vesterman, Janet Weiler, Michael Wiener, Jay Wormus. Two representatives of the UN Staff Coordinating Council, Mr. Ridah Zargouni & Mr. Yves Kenfack, attended as observers.

1. Opening of the meeting. The meeting was opened at 12:40 with a quorum.

2. Adoption of the Agenda. The agenda was adopted, certain items being re-numbered for reasons of priority.

3. Election of officers for the meeting. Alex Ezana was elected chairperson of the meeting, and Jay Wormus as secretary.

4. Adoption of the report for the previous General Assembly. The report was adopted with no amendment. A query was made regarding status of Club officers. The chairperson recalled that the term of office is two years; for that reason only the Secretary had been elected at the previous meeting.

5. Report of activities by the President. The President reported that the classical and jazz groups continued rehearsing regularly. There had been a few performances by the jazz group: UN Plage, UNWG Bazaar. It had been a relatively quiet year. The classical group (flute & strings quartet) had made its first performance in November at the International Day of Peace.

The Club’s website had been revamped. There had been some activities “behind the scene”: participating in setting up the new UN Orchestra - auditions & selection of musicians was completed. A recruitment drive for new Club members began in early 2010: several new musicians have joined the jazz group. Preparations were underway for a performance of the jazz group at a Haiti benefit concert.

6. Financial report by the Treasurer. The Treasurer presented the Club accounts. The Secretary clarified the purchase of material: this was partially for sheet music for the classical group, the remainder being for costs related to the revamping of the website. The President recalled that the Club had income from three sources: memberships, contributions (performances), subsidies (from the Staff Union). Income from performances and subsidies had gone down since 2007. A significant subsidy could be expected from the Staff Union.

7. Adoption of the President’s and Treasurer’s reports. The reports were adopted without amendment.

8. Changes to membership fees under article 2, par. 5 (as proposed by J. Wormus). The Secretary summarized the rationale for his proposal. Various other options were proposed from and floor and discussed. The President called for a vote and the meeting approved the following annual rates: Regular fee: CHF 80; Retirees: CHF 60; interns/students: CHF 10. It was also agreed that the fee for new members (except interns/students) joining during the course of the year would be prorated: 2nd quarter – 75% ; 3rd quarter – 50%; 4th quarter – 25% (e.g. for regular members, respectively CHF 60, 40 or 20, the latter being the lowest applicable fee). Additional voluntary contributions from members would be welcome.

9. Amendments to article 5, par.1 (« un vice-president », submitted by A.Ezana). The amendment proposing to replace “un vice-president” by “un ou plusieurs vice-présidents, selon qu’il conviendra ” was adopted. It was also agreed to replace bullet points in the Statutes by lettered sub-paragraphs to facilitate references.

10. Request for joining the Club by the leader of a group of singers comprising a choir. The coordinator of the choir noted that there were 15 persons participating at present, and the choir was aiming for more. The choir was not currently in a position to form its own club, therefore wanted to associate with the Music Club. She noted that this could be a provisional arrangement if choir grows. The choir wanted to follow model of UN Singers at UNHQ.

The President welcomed this proposal. He proposed to fix a one year minimum period for associating the choir with a view to ensuring stability. The Statutes and all Club rules will apply; fees also. The choir would have access to Club assets. The choir’s coordinator agreed in principle, but needed to confirm the proposal with choir members. The meeting approved the proposal, subject to confirmation by the choir members.

11. Election of members of the Committee. The meeting elected the following Committee members:

• President: Alex Ezana
• Vice-presidents:
• • Jazz: Patrice Piguet;
  • Classical: Jan Knoerich;
  • At large: Marco Benvenuti
• Treasurer: Christiane Mallet (until retirement – presumably towards end 2010; then will need a replacement)

It was agreed that upon association of the choir with the Club, Nadia Dzyubynska would serve as vice-president for choral activities.

12. Election of auditors. The meeting elected Natalia Guerra and Janet Weiler.

13. Amendments to articles 2, par.5 ; 4, par.1 and 2; 5, par.7 (submitted by J. Wormus). This item was postponed due to lack of time. It was agreed that the Committee members would discuss these proposals and circulate a text to all members.

14. Programme of work and activities for 2010. The President explained the proposed budget and its relationship to the programme of activities. With regard to income, the President reiterated his expectation of subsidies from the Staff Union. The budget reflected investment in equipment; normal operating expenses; and special projects (e.g. production of a CD). It was expected that the Club’s income for 2010 would be sufficient to cover the normal operating expenses and purchase of equipment. A stage piano and bass amp would be essential for upcoming performances. It was also proposed to discontinue the rental of a piano, and to negotiate a favourable price with the dealer for a good used upright piano.

Various opinions were expressed in consideration of draft budget: how were prices for items determined?; was maintenance/repair of equipment foreseen?; would insurance be necessary?; what would be priority items in case of a shortfall in income? Time was insufficient to go into detail in all of these matters. The meeting agreed nevertheless to endorse the proposed budget, entrusting the detailed consideration of these issues to the Club Committee.

15. Adoption of the Programme of work and activities. The programme of work was endorsed.

16. Adoption of a provisional budget for 2010. The provisional budget was approved.

17. Other matters. The following agenda items could not be discussed due to lack of time:

• Creation of a proposed Association musicale des Nations Unies : Goals and rationale
• Organizational matters : Need to create different groups or re-organize groups
• Keys, Badges
• Committee meetings
• Feuillantines

It was agreed that the above matters would also be discussed by the Committee at a next meeting to be held soon, and the outcome would be circulated to other members.

The meeting was closed at 14:20.